I have run this race several times (I believe at least twice, but I have lost track; my lifetime race count since taking up running in 2014 is north of 250 at this point). I would run it again. It has a big bonus for anyone who wants to be awed: you end up inside the stadium, and they allow you to lounge around on the outfield. Even if you are not a baseball fan, that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (well, more than once if you sign up, but you get the gist of it). It has an oddity of organization: they announce the date very late, so you cannot plan. I cannot figure out why that is, since it is professionally run. In addition to the medal, you get a bobblehead. (You can pay extra for the bib to be mailed; I always look for that, because my time is worth it to me, avoiding a needless trip to the Expo.) The other aspect of the race that should be mentioned is how flat the course is. It is an out and back along the Embarcadero, not too far from the Ferry Building (to the southeast of there), along Fisherman's Wharf, to the far side of Crissy Field. For the Bay Area, it has to be among the races with the least vertical gain. The field also has participants of enough different speeds, you won't feel as if you're doing terribly. There is a three hour time limit, so if you a pure walker (versus a run walker), you might need to speed up a bit. I am at the back of the pack myself, so I pass no judgment. (I've been finishing the race slower than 2:45, and it's fine.) PS I looked it up on Athlinks. I have run it three times. In doing that, I saw something I had not expected. The field has been shrinking. It was 3500 plus the first time, and 1200 the last time. That is a considerable change. read more

Of all the years of being a San Francisco Giants Fan!!! The Giants Race was the one event that.. I have never thought about doing it and It's a once in a year event!!! I was one of them shy and chicken type person that was afraid of doing it!!! And a lot of former co workers and also my brother has done it before!!! And most of my co workers had said to me, William you should go and try it out and have don't worry about being afraid!!! A lot of Giants Race runners start out slow, and with a lot of encouragement from my co workers and family!!! As when the new year of January 1 2018 came around... Okay I have said to my myself my goal of 2018 was go and try doing the San Francisco Giants 5K Race!!! And on that day of July 4th 2018 the time has finally come to me... I signed up for my very very 1st time on the Giants Race website and the rest is history!!! And from there, I started training & preparing myself by running around Lake Merced and other places in San Francisco... So I had 2 months to get ready for 2018 San Francisco Giants 5K Race!!! As the month of July and August which went by quick and when the month of September 9th 2018 was here!!! My time and day has finally arrived to go and run the Giants 5k Race!!! When I got at to AT&T PARK I was amazed to see a lot people who had signed for the 5k Giants Race!!! When I lined up at the starting line with my brother who also ran with me at the 5k Giants Race... When the timer has finally started, I said yayyyyy I am finally here and doing it!!! In the beginning, I started out slow with a normal pace and then started jogging little by little and some running by not over doing it towards the Embarcadero Ferry Building... From there it was a turn around and back to the Finish Line inside of the AT&T PARK BASEBALL FIELD!!! As I started running back towards the Finish Line inside of the Baseball Field I have said WHAT HUNTER PENCE WOULD HAVE SAID YES YES YES!!! Now that I have finally conquered my fears by not being afraid and I can now say I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT!!! I definitely would wanna come back next year in 2019 for the 10th Anniversary of the San Francisco Giants Race!!! ~JUST TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THE POSTED PICTURES THAT I HAVE POSTED FROM THE SEPTEMBER 9TH 2018 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS 5K RACE~ read more

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Just yesterday I embarked my 9th half marathon, and yes it feels wonderful. After all the adrenaline rush, I had to write a review. FYI- I barely trained for this run, and I actually did good! LOL For those who read my reviews, you may think I work out all the time but training for a marathon is totally different. From arriving to AT&T park, you wouldn't believe how many people were out there. I'm talking thousands.... I was amazed of all the comradery and support of the bay, especially all the GIANTS fans out. Start line was in front of Willie Mays plaza which led out to the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf, Crissy Fields, Presidio, Fort Mason, the other side of Baker beach which is in front of the Golden Gate bridge then the turn around all the way back towards the ball park baseball field. I totally enjoyed the scenic route as many others such as Nike head that way too. What I liked about this run? No hills! LOL I know it may seem boring to others because of that but I preferred it that way. Glad I was able to check this off my bucket list!! read more

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I LOVE this race!! It is flat, fast, and perfect for a PR. Did I mention I got my PR on this course? Just sayin' The half marathon begins in front of the stadium on Embarcadero and takes runners out Embarcadero down past Fisherman's Wharf, up Buena Vista hill, past Fort Mason down Bay Street, back by Aquatic Park, down to the vista pointe below the beautiful Golden Gate bridge, and back. Almost no hills other than the 2 little ones near Aquatic park; nothing a runner can't handle. I like that the course takes you out Bay Street and back through the park so there is a little bit of course mix up so it is not completely an out and back on the same terrain. It is always a pleasure to run through the scenic parts of SF without the tourists! It is hard to beat the smell of fresh sourdough bread as you run through FW past Boudins in the morning. It fills the air (about mile 3) with its heavenly scent and gives a little jolt of energy almost like you ingested some crusty sourdough goodness as you run by. Especially not being able to eat it, it is certainly a pleasure to take in the smell. The road is virtually void of tourist at that hour, so it allows a special opportunity to take in that part of the city and the marina without all the extra traffic of people. Particularly this past weekend was a cool day, so it was perfect for running! Just cool enough without mist or dew becoming a factor. I do have two fails to the even though: 1) bad expo - not enough going on and no vendors there to make it more of an event itself, 2) not enough race support/water stops. I was not slow and they were running out of water when I was coming back by mile 8, what about all the people behind me?! I always am disappointed to see a race not have enough support for the runners, thankfully it was not a hot day. It is hard to beat ending on the field and having that backdrop to your finish lines photos. It is a pretty awesome way to end what can be an epic race if you push it. read more

I've run this race 2 years now, but I had very different experiences with each race. 10K - 5 stars This last year, I ran the 10k race. Originally, I signed up for the 5k race, but I decided to switch to the 10k about 2 weeks before race day. I was able to switch my registration online and pay the difference (plus a small change fee). Two days before race day, I went to AT&T Park to pick up my bib and shirt. The expo opened at 11:30 AM, but I showed up at 1:30 PM. By that time, there weren't that many people and no lines at any of the stations! One of the volunteers I talked to said that there were a ton of people right at the open, so waiting a little bit saved me a lot of time. There was a problem at check-in, though. The volunteer who at the check-in desk said that my registration still said 5k. He directed me to the Info Desk, since he didn't have the authority to make any changes. Thankfully, there was only a short line at the Info Desk, and that staff was able to change my registration after I showed him my email confirmation. On Race Day, the 10K and Half-Marathon starting time was 7:00 AM. I showed up at 6:45 AM to stretch and get my place in line at the last corral. While there were a lot of people for those 2 races, it only took me 12 minutes to get to the starting line. The 10K course starts at AT&T Park, follows the Embarcadero north, and then U-Turns at Fisherman's Wharf. It's a very nice course, bordering the Bay most of the course. At the point where the 10K runners u-turn, the half-marathoners turn left and proceed further west (probably towards Fort Mason). Finally, the race ends back inside AT&T Park, with the finish line on the outfield warning track. It's a big rush to cross the line with all these people watching and cheering. I even hi-fived Lou Seal right before the end. I finished the race a little before 9:00 AM, which is plenty early get breakfast and move on to the rest of the day! 5k - 3 stars The year before, I ran the 5k race. It started around 10:30 AM last year (and it was 10:50 AM this year). Because of the huge number of runners at this distance, it takes a while to get to the starting line if you are not in one of the two competitive corrals. My wife said it took over 30 minutes for her to get to the starting line, and she was even close to the back of the pack. The course is the same as the 10k, except you run a mile and a half on Embarcadero and then just turn around. Again, it's a nice course, but doesn't offer much in terms of variety of scenery. And will all those people on such a short course, be ready for massive crowds. With this distance being so busy and starting so late on a Sunday, I definitely prefer the 10k. Perhaps I'll do the half-marathon someday, too. read more

Probably one of the flattest races in San Francisco :) The weather was perfect, cool without any strong wind and just the right amount of sunshine. I would recommend paying ahead for parking as the lots are super close to the stadium and start lines. I would also recommend starting in the front of your corral if you don't feel like weaving around a bunch of people. The route had mile markers which I found very useful and plenty of hydration stations! And of course, the best part was ending on the field (and the awesome t shirts!)!! read more

I've been aware of the Giant Race; however, it wasn't until this year that I decided to run the 5K on 9/9/18. They've also got a half marathon and 10K if you want to sign up for one of these two races. 5K Pros: * flat surface * route along the Embarcadero waterfront * finish line inside AT&T ballpark 5K cons: * late start time of 10:50am (4 corrals - every 5 minutes). I think the half marathon start time is 7am. The late start time is enough to make me not do this race again. When the sun is right over you, it hinders my ability to stay focused. Too sunny and hot for me. Great Tshirt and finisher medallion. read more

Went to the expo to pick up my bib and tee at the AT&T park. Lots of samples, my favorite was the giants towel but you have to sign up with your email with Farmers insurance. Friday is the best time to go, coz I went there again with a friend on Saturday and of course all the samples were gone by then. Also collected my awesome Buster Posey bobble head...luv it. This race was very flat, great views of the bay and running together with Giant fans....I think this is a home run for any beginner or someone who wants to beat their previous 5k timing. I did the 10k, very flat. Ran from the stadium to fisherman's wharf and back to the stadium again. This race has an awesome finish because the finish line is inside the stadium where you see people cheering you as you finish...awesome awesome awesome. As you finish, immediately go to refuel with samples and drinks coz the line is really long. Was disappointed that there were no bags, so I had to hold everything under my arms, hands etc. Might be a good idea to bring a small bag so you can put stuff in, instead of holding everything. When I got home, found a couple of wonderful photos as I crossed the finish line online. So don't forget to pose and smile as you finish and then check online with either your bib number or name. Will do this run again....purely for the bobblehead....it's so worth it! read more

The Giant Race - Awesome stuff from the Expo 2014 - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Francisco, California

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After talking to some seasoned runners, my expectations of the Giant Race was low. But afterwards, I felt like it was a pretty fun race after all. You can't beat the course, though I prefer trail to pavement any day. Weather-wise, it was pretty perfect. Overcast and cool to start your run; sunny and slightly warm by the time you finished. I only did the 10K as I did a half-marathon earlier this year and since I just started my affinity for running, I thought I'd keep this one short. Picking up my gear at the expo the Friday before was so easy. I wish they had some flexibility in the shirts though as no one wants to have a cotton shirt to run in, and the one I got was a little small, but they wouldn't let me change the size. It would be nice to have the option to upgrade to the tech shirts the half-marathoners had. The course was well marked and set up, and I loved the entertainment along the way. Nothing like a few cowbells to get your feet moving. One of the big problems with the race though was the lack of food at the finish for the 10K and half-marathon runners. Come on, those are the people that really, really, really need to refuel! Hope that doesn't happen again. The finish line was great and it was super to be able to stretch out after finishing on the field. The medal was cool, and I'm so glad they gave us the bobblehead at the expo so we didn't have to stress about getting it at the end. I wasn't really impressed with the green swag bag idea though. If I want swag at the end of a race, I want it in my hand, not online. Last thing I hope they change is how the start line is staged. Once the 5K started, it was pretty unorganized in communicating to the 10K and half-marathon runners where the different paces should start. I ended up somewhere in the middle only because I was moving with everyone else and didn't want to just stand and have people push by me. Otherwise, I think I'll sign up for this one next year again. It's a nice fall race to add to my running calendar. Go Giants! Best.Season.Ever! read more

The Giant Race - Ready! - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Francisco, California

(Half #21, 2015) To run SF's Giant Race doesn't mean you have to be a Giants fan. I mean, I'm sure it helps. After all, the course begins and ends at the famed AT&T Park, the finish line sitting directly upon the field itself. What Giants fan wouldn't jump (or run!) for the opportunity? Regardless... I have two other reasons for running The Giant Race. 1) SF's Giant Race half marathon is a highly scenic run, and I love running in San Francisco. Heading north along the Embarcadero, the course meanders along the water's edge before reaching its turn-around, about a mile's distance from the Golden Gate Bridge. If you're into this sort of thing, you may then snap some pretty cool selfies. (Many runners do.) 2) The SF Giant Race is part of four series challenges: * The Three Bagger Award: finishing both San Jose's and San Francisco's Giant races, and then choosing between Scottsdale's Giant Race or Sacramento's Giants Training Run to complete the Three Bagger. * The Turn Two Award: running both the San Jose Giant Race (either distance) and the San Francisco Giant Race (half, 10k, or 5k). * San Francisco Original Run Series: completing San Francisco's most iconic running events, Bay to Breakers, the San Francisco Marathon, and the San Francisco Giant Race. * CA Half and Full Marathon Series. (I'm on track for the 20 Race Challenge!) Anyway... Me? I can't honestly say that I am a Giants fan. However, running the Giant races and being surrounded by so many who are big fans tends to rub off on you. After all, over the past five years--and at the time of this writing, at least--the Giants have won three World Series Championships. There's no denying them that. Plus, my pops is a fan...and so are my nephews... So, by association, I guess that makes me a fan too, respectfully. read more

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This race doesn't just celebrate the Giants and end at their stadium. At about 25,000 runners, this is literally a Giant Race! Packet pick-up was a fast process but long journey: there were lots of tables set up to get your bib, shirt, and bobblehead quickly, but you had to walk around the entire stadium to get to everything. Shirt pick-up was somewhere in the middle of the course, and bobblehead pickup was at the very end, so you had to stroll past lots of vendor booths in the process. This wasn't too bad considering some vendors could be of interest to you, and also because there were free samples from Emerald nuts, Snapea Crisps, kettle chips, a Giants towel from State Farm, and even celery sticks! Race day parking was a breeze for me and my boyfriend. Because of the 7:00am race start for the half marathon, we got to the area around 6:15am and found tons of free street parking just three blocks away on 5th Ave. I'd recommend doing either this or getting dropped off to avoid the traffic, hassle, and fees of parking elsewhere. Huge crowds of people surround you from start to finish. Though there were strictly enforced corrals to sort runners of different paces, all 10k and half marathoners started at the same time. Race starts are often chaotic, but none could compare to the huge stampede in the beginning miles of this race. This makes it incredibly important to place yourself not only in the correct corral, but in the proper position at the front or back of that corral to minimize collisions. I ran the half marathon, which was fast and flat for the most part. There were small uphill stretches around the Marina, then another uphill stretch at Fort Mason. The course was mostly paved road aside from the gravel trail of the Golden Gate Promenade. Cones, railings, and volunteers clearly marked the turns of the course. I saw a few mile markers in the second half of the course, but not one for every mile. They were either hidden, nonexistent, or hard to spot, especially in the beginning of the race with so many people everywhere. Though not a big deal, it was inconvenient not knowing how far you've run, especially if you're pacing yourself. The aid stations every few miles had water, gatorade, and port-a-potties. One aid station near the the half marathon turnaround point had small PowerBars that my friends said tasting disgusting. I even saw one PowerBar thrown on the ground with only a tiny bite into it. Needless to say, bring your own snacks if you need to fuel up. All runnning events finished off on the hallowed ground of AT&T Park. It was definitely a cool experience running through the tunnel and onto the field! Post-race snacks were just cheap bagels and the same free snack samples from packet pick-up.The giant field and stadium provided ample room for everyone to relax and hang out after a great race. "Bigger is better" doesn't just apply to Texas, but the Giant Race, too! read more

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4-stars for the 10K... 2-stars for Half-marathon... Here are my reasons why: 10K race cost = $50 Half-marathon = $95 Powerade & water for 10K racers = PLENTY Powerade & water for Half-marathoners = Ran out depending on station or NONE 10K racers = No nasty tasting pasty Powerbar Half-marathoners = ONE nasty tasting pasty Powerbar :-/ 10K racers = Small version medal Half-marathoners = Big version medal 10K racers = Runners are among of the first to finish... plenty of space to enjoy ballpark grass & first-dibs on post-race expo. Half-marathoners = Runners are running into the ballpark full of peeps... not a lot of space to choose, but still space available. After 10K race replenishment = 1 water bottle, 1 banana, 1 bagel, 1 tote bag After Half-marathon replenishment = 1 water bottle, 1 banana, 1 bagel, 1 tote bag Note: 2012 10K race... I received a cheapo Hanes-like white race t-shirt. [Feelin' gyped.] 2013 racers... ALL received a fancy runner's dri-fit tee. [Feeling even MORE gyped, since I paid more, but received equivalent tee as those who paid less for shorter race! *shaking fists*] WHAT TO SEE: ***** [AT&T park, Embarcadero, Ferry building, Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, Fort Mason area, Marina Green, Crissy Field, Golden Gate Bridge, & back.] CONVENIENCE: **** [Expo pick-up is convenient for racers to pick up bib, bobblehead, & race tee... but be forewarned, traffic sucks.] SERVICE: ***/* [Lots of volunteers & cheers... but not enough water & replenishment.] DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 3.5 of 5 [Mostly flat roads & paved surfaces... easy run for the legs, but not easy on the knees.] PRICE: $$$ [Depends on race, but each runner gets a bobblehead, running-tee, & medal.] OVERALL: ***/* [3.5-stars... based on the experiences of both races, it's a fair rating. But for better experience & money's worth, I'd rather do the 10K over the half-marathon in the future.] Nevertheless... still love my Giants... & Happy 100! Nuff said. [#36 of 100 YELP CHALLENGE 2013] read more

The Giant Race - It's official... Romo for 2013!!! Yeehaw! d:-{7 - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Late review. Parking was decent. Nothing crazy. Did the 5k with some friends. It didn't start on time. Smart that they closed off the road so it's wide enough for all the runners. Nice view. Awesome experience to end up on the Giants AT&T field! That was an awesome experience! But where are the loots? Yes during the pick up, we got a tshirt, bobblehead, and backpack. But after the run... there weren't that much food. I expected variety compared to other runs, but this one was limited. I also noticed that they were out before the rest of the runners finished. That sucks for them. They need more sponsors. read more

Great race again! Each year, the organizers get a little better and a little sloppier. This year's Pros and Cons: Pros: -Better start point in front of ballpark -The water/powerade stations seemed to be better positioned -Hanging out on the field for once. Cons: -$10 for parking. There wasn't a Giants game, so not sure why they charge so much. -Ran out of fruit and bagels by 10:15 when a ton of the 10kers and halfers were crossing. How is this possible? -Ran out of the white shirts for the 10kers. We ended up with the gray half ones, which is fine, but given everything is processed online, not sure how they run out. -Total congestion at the start with super late 5k people merging with the halfers. -Having to exit the ballpark to pick up bobblehead and shirt. Would have been nice to get on field some how so we could hang out, but it was just too chaotic to go in and out. It was sad to see less musicians than 3 years ago on the course. The usual SF Cheerleaders were there and the occasional homeless musician, but that's it. They need better lane markings as walkers were getting trampled by runners weaving in and out. The 10k actually ended up being 6.26 miles, but still fun. read more

I ran the 10k on Sunday and had a great time! This race was my first for the SF Giants race, but I have ran the SJ Giants race twice now. I will be running it again. LOVE the Sergio Romo bobblehead! http://instagram.com/p/cktdA2s5WJ/ Race Expo/Bib pick up- I arrived last minute on Friday, most of the booth were closed/empty. But I got my bib with no wait. There was 5k, 10k, and Half selections so picking up bibs was quick. With the bib, you get a wrist band (colored to your distance run), tech tshirt, Sergio Romo bobblehead. The booth that were still open at 6:55pm, were the Rock n Roll marathon (saw the new San Jose R'n'R medal- liked last years better), Represent Running (Lets go 510!), and State Farm (signed some paper to get a Giants orange towel). Race day!- Start time was at 7am. 10k and the Half marathon started together. There were 3 different corrals; 7-9 minute/mile, 9-11 minute/mile, 11-Walking mile. The course is very flat and I was able to run non-stop (no stopping to walk, A+ for me! :) Overall I like the course. The view is great! Start in front of AT&T park and turn around at Pier 39, to finish in the ballpark. There was a camera man at the finish line to show the finishers on the big TV (very cool!). There were water stations at every mile and half, though the volunteers weren't organized in handing them out. Personal opinion: After the race I had brunch at the Pier and drove by the 5K crowd, which looked like there were a lot more people attending. Based on comments on the Giants Race fb page, there were some unhappy people doing the 5K. But I think that is part of the race. You just have to deal with the strollers, walkers, and crowds of people. You should keep that in mind, especially for a big event related to the SF Giants. read more

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A little late in posting my review... Overall, a pretty good race to do in SF. I only did the 10k, while the hubby ran his first ever half marathon. (Yahoo!!) You get to actually end the race on the Giants AT&T field (who are the WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!) The pros: Expo to pick up your bib and "swag." Pretty good "swag" give-away. Besides the usual t-shirt, you got a Matt Cain bobblehead, "backpack" and a nice finisher's medal. They had the 5k walkers/runners start first There were plenty spots of water along the way Plenty of volunteers and random people cheering you on as you finished The running course was great- relatively flat with no hills. Had bananas, bagels, and water for your finish. The weather was perfect for SF that day! The cons: Just slight congested for the 10k people when they had to turn around to come back. They need more por-ta-pottys. There were long, long lines before the start of the race. read more

The Giant Race - Giant Race give-a-ways - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I was a volunteer for this race and had a lot of fun. Other than the freebies we were able to enjoy, and realizing how out of shape I am, I had a great time! Things I would suggest on improving for next year: #1. Better communication between the parking lot staff and Project Open Hand. We were emailed and advised by Project Open Hand that we could park for free in Lot A if we carpooled. Edgar, who works in the parking a lot would not even acknowledge that we were volunteers, and made us pay the $10 or leave. We did get that straightened out with the organizers and will be reimbursed. #2. I was a volunteer for the Medal Distribution, and although it was neat to see the many 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon Finishers... The finish line mark set with water next and medals after wards was not a good idea. The runners were backed up and probably adding to their running time by not crossing the finish line in time. Having the water station after the finish lined cause many people to stay in that area, rather than moving a long to the next stations. #3. Medals ran out due to runners changing their minds between the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon courses which caused a big commotion that us as volunteers should not have been responsible for. Although, I was handing out medals according to their bib colors at time of registration, others did hand out according to the run that day. It should have been better orchestrated as to whom & what should be given. And again, because the water station was first, it allowed people to also double dip and grab more than one medal. Other than all of that, I think I want to run next year and experience the other side of it. 4 stars for a good time! read more

The Giant Race - Giants Dugout - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Francisco, California

The Giants Race organizers must have read the reviews from last last year because I experienced none of the cluster-F at the finish line this year. The key difference is having the 5K-ers start earlier by 30 minutes. I ran the half-marathon and enjoyed the scenic route along the Embarcadero towards the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Once I broke away from the pack after the Ferry Building, I found I had good space to run and really got into a good groove. (I achieved a new best time!) Special thanks to all the volunteers especially the folks at the water stations. There were numerous of them along the route and much appreciated. Also to all the folks who were cheering along the route, including the energetic folks at Cheer SF, thank you for your support! It is quite a special experience to turn into AT&T park for the last dash to the finish line. Folks fill the bleachers and cheer you on as you triumphantly run in. Then you get to stretch out on "sacred" turf. Truly a fun run and since it benefits Project Open Hand, a good cause too! read more

A nice flat half marathon in the city...yay!!!! There are two hills that I can honestly remember, one in the beginning and one around mile 8. The organizers of this race really do a nice job. Great communication up to race day. make sure you but you parking pass when it is offered...it is nice to be ~2 blocks from the start and finish line. Water stops were adequate. The only thing that could really be improved on is the mile markers...had none until mile 5 and the photography. The finish is on the field at AT&T field...the finish photographers should realize this and instead of all close ups show the runners coming in for the finish with the scoreboard behind them! Swag is top notch and the medal is really nice. The expo was meh...nicely set up but was expecting more venues and better options for clothing purchases. They used the same vendor as the SF Marathon therefore I already had the exact same top just with a different logo on them. read more

It was my first time participating in the 10k this year and overall, I had a really good experience. I thought it was nice that during the 2-day expo volunteers/organizers stayed longer to accommodate people who got off work late and those coming outside of SF, the rest of the Bay Area and beyond. I didn't go on that Friday because I saw on FB that people complained about how long it took to get their stuff. So, I opted to go on Saturday morning instead and the line moved by really quickly. I got my bib, shirt (felt a size smaller than actual size), Sergio Romo bobblehead, and photo with the World Series trophies all within an hour. Race day was insane! The start time for the 10k and half marathon was at 7am and I was literally stuck in traffic for 30 mins on King and by the time I found parking in Lot A it was already 6:45am. So, definitely allow an hour or even two for traffic and parking concerns to make the race on time. The race itself went by faster than I had expected. The turnaround for the 10k was about near Boudin on the Wharf. There was adequate water/Powerade stations. My only concern was that there were strollers, little kids, and walkers in the middle for about the 1st mile. So, having to dodge them wasn't fun. Also, it was annoying that pedestrians/tourists were crossing the street as we were running. Besides all of that, finishing inside the stadium and having that medal around your neck was awesome! For food, everyone was allowed only one bottled water, an apple or banana (not both), one bag of chips, one yogurt, and one cup of granola. I disliked the fact that you could only have one of each, but I understand that everyone needs to be fed and hydrated. So, taking more than one thing would seem greedy. But, as far as the water is concerned, one bottle isn't enough. I would definitely consider running again next year because the race supports a great cause. Yay for Project Open Hand and Go Giants!! P.S. For updates "like" Giant Race on Facebook and follow @giantrace on Instagram. ;) read more

The Giant Race - 2013 10k Finisher Medal! - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Francisco, California

Such a fun race! It was a great experience exploring AT&T park and really being able to FAN OUT! We took pics on the field, with the WS trophies, in the dug outs, using the bull pen phones, on Kruk and Kuip's chairs overlooking the field, on the trolley, on the candlestick chairs..just everywhere we could and we enjoyed every minute of it! :P As for the race itself it was pretty easy...I ran the 10k...The course was nice and flat and offered gorgeous views of SF. We ran down the embarcadero to fisherman's wharf and back. You finish the on the field (don't forget to watch yourself on the big screen and high-five Lou Seal when you run in!) I felt like there was a enough course support during the race, but didn't get anything else besides a water bottle afterwards. I saw people walking around with snacks, but I didn't know where they were passing them out...which was fine bc I didn't run the half and didn't need them. If you are running the half I'd try to find out beforehand so you can recover faster. read more

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I'm a little late writing this review but better late than never. I participated in the Giants 10k for the first time this year and will likely be back next year. The run along the Embarcadero is a pleasant one-- when you're not cursing yourself for singing up for the race, you might be able to take a moment to enjoy the gorgeous view. I'll definitely be back next year but I'm going for the half! Go Giants! read more

I rarely take the time to write a Yelp review...but for this particular event, I NEED to vent my frustration and annoyance. I have participated in four half-marathons prior to the Giant Race. Each event had OUTSTANDING organization compared to this one. I cannot believe they meshed the half-marathoners with the 5k Kids Race for the last mile of the race. Weaving around strollers and random tourists walking on the Embarcadero was the LAST thing I wanted to do after running 12 miles. To make matters even worse, I had to deal with a huge mass of people after crossing the finish line. No room for stretching and it took almost 10 minutes to grab a bottle of water. It was horrible. Getting my Lincecum bobblehead and t-shirt was an absolute joke. If I wasn't such a huge Giants fan, I would have said f*ck it like my friend did (she also ran the half). The organizers did nothing to make sure the half-marathoners recovered well. I received a yogurt...but no spoon. I wish they had separate stations for the different running events so the half-marathoners were guaranteed some food. I saw no aid stations...and I really could have used an icepack for my knee. Even if there were aid stations inside the park, the crowds were too insane to locate them. In general, I was very annoyed that the half-marathoners had to deal with such a mess and I most likely will not run this race again. Whoever organized this event has obviously never ran a half-marathon before. Even though the finish line/post-race organization was an epic fail, the course was great. It was very scenic, not too hilly, and the volunteers/water stations were great. I was only going to give this event one star...but during mile 5, I saw Brian Wilson and got a high-five from him! So Giant Race...because of Brian Wilson, you earned yourself two stars. YOU'RE WELCOME. read more

This was probably one of the run events that was worth the $85 registration fee. Registration included: 2 tickets to the Giants game (they do run out, so register quick!), finisher's medal, Tim Lincecum bobblehead, and a t-shirt. Some pros: -Bibs and instructions were mailed to your home address. -Options of running a 5K, 10K, half marathon (even a kids fun run) -Plenty of mileage markers throughout the course. -Water stations ever 2-3 miles with plenty of volunteers handing out water and Gatorade. -Plenty of volunteers throughout the course. -Finishing on the field and having your name announced! -Scenic route- one of my favorite SF running routes. -You get a finisher's medal AND a Tim Lincecum bobble head (and tickets to a game if you sign up early enough) -Seeing Brian Wilson at the Marina. Cons: -VERY confusing and frustrating getting to the pickup area for the bobbleheads, t-shirts, and goodies as there were no signs after crossing the finish line. -Engulfing the early morning smell of San Francisco...I guess it was early, but San Francisco have never smelt so bad! read more

MEETING "THE BEARD" AT THE GIANT RACE LAST SATURDAY... AUTOMATIC FIVE STARS!!! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/oRHtvo8XLNxbPBz9n65Qmw?select=9nLDJDqWVFGleKKOn7zi0w First and foremost, I would like to thank all my sponsors for helping me raise money for The Giant Race & Project Open Hand http://www.openhand.org/ Dave K, Ben D, Badri N, Frank V, Rich N, Serbelle, Jing F, Jamie & Karen, my cousin Jeremy, and Monique S. You guys are truly awesome and appreciate your kind donation towards this event. The logistics on the half marathon: - Giants stadium Parking Lot A (on 3rd street) is the designated area to park. Bring $10.00 cash. - Get here early at 6:00am to park, fuel up, pick up race bib, stretch, and go for a morning warm up jog. - The course relatively flat with two 0.2 hills (one at Maritime and one at the Fort Mason Green). - You start at Giants Stadium Parking Lot A, run to the Fort Point Historic, and back into Giants stadium. - The course is entirely the Embacardero, Fort Mason, and Chrissy Fields. - The course had multiple water / energy drink stations and mile markers. I only saw two ERT stations along the way. - There were two port a potty areas along the course: Embarcedero and Chrissy Fields. - The best part of the course was running on the bay trail on the Golden Gate Promenade. Running on soft trails is easy on the feet. - Bring a light jacket. Its gets drizzly in the morning. - Finish line is inside Giants stadium where your family and friends watch you finish on the jumbo tron! Very cool! - After the run, you can gallivant around the stadium (get autographs, get more race swag, pictures on the field, etc.). - This was a great warm up to the upcoming Rock & Roll Half Marathon in San Jose (Oct. 2). - This year's swag: I got a Tim Lincecum bobble head! - Finish Time: 2:41 (and that's with no hard training and a weekend in Vegas before the half marathon). - Family Friendly: Definitely! Register early with the family. They have a kids race, 5K, and 10K. Walkers and strollers welcome! read more

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If you're a Giants fan, this is an event you definitely don't want to miss! When else can you actually lay on the outfield grass of AT&T Park, hang out in the dugouts, take a pic with the World Series Trophies, get a bobblehead of a Giants player, and get a Giants shirt and running medal....oh, and possibly meet a player?!? My son, who I have to force to run any race with me, will gladly run the 5k just for the Giants swag and perks. The 5k is a very fast, flat run along the Embarcadero in perfect running weather (IMO!) with great views of the bay. I'm hoping one day he'll agree to run the 10k or half marathon with me! Only tip I have for the 5k runners is to get there early. We got to the race late and didn't go in the correct corral. We were in the very back with the strollers and people that were planning to leisurely walk the course. For the first mile we did a lot of dodging and cutting through so we could actually run the course. Also, the expo would have been better if there were more vendors and nicer volunteers/workers. I remember the photographer and his assistant weren't very friendly....or they were just tired from the long day...but they made it known they didn't want to be there. One of the guys sweeping the food court area actually came up to me and decided to vent on how long he had been working that day and how tired he was. That was kinda awkward...but whatever, the race itself is worth doing!!! Next race is on September 7th....registration is still open! read more

The Giant Race - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I signed up my other half and I for the SF Giants half marathon earlier in March. I recommend signing up in advance as it was sold out months ahead. At the time I signed up, all that was left was the 1/2 marathon and the 5k. Getting to the stadium was a logistical nightmare. The organizers decided to charge $10 for parking. Luckily, my other half had a later start time than I did so she dropped me off or else I would have been late. The first of the race was pretty good as there were people available to hand out water. I did see limited bathrooms though. During the last 2 miles, the organizers created a mess when they had the 5k walkers in the same side as the 1/2 marathoners. So a person running a 8 minute mile is slowed down because of all the dodging they have to do. I almost ran over a few people as the walkers didn't yield to the right. It was cool seeing Brian Wilson of the Giants giving high 5's to the runners. The finish was completely disorganized. At the finish line was one blob of people. After running for almost 2 hours, you want to walk it off and not come to a complete stop. There was no where to stretch out and limited water was being given away. It was impossible to find someone as there were no meeting points. Getting the Tim Lincecum bobblehead was a mess as you had to wait 45 minutes in line because there was only one location. No one knew where to get the t-shirts. To top it off, they couldn't find my wife's drop off bag. They had to search throughout all the trucks and somehow it was put on the wrong truck? Something sounds a little fishy. Overall, this race was completely disorganized and I wouldn't want to do it again. Everything was terrible; parking, traffic jam, course with both walkers and runners, post race finish, and the giveaways. Organizers please take some notes from some real race if you want to host a run. read more

I did the half marathon in 2012, and I really enjoyed this race on the whole. I always like running through city streets, and it was nice to do a race that passed by some major landmarks, including great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. In addition to being visually appealing, the course was relatively flat, and the aid stations were pretty generous: almost all of them offered powerade in addition to water, and around the six-mile mark we were even given half a power bar. The combination of good fueling, a flattish course, and distracting views resulted in a PR by more than 3 minutes, so I came away feeling very happy. Top it off with a nice medal and a women's tech shirt, and I'd say this race is worth the money. Of course, it wasn't perfect. There's always something that can be improved. First, the expo wasn't very exciting; I ended up leaving far more quickly than I'd expected because there just wasn't a lot to see. The expo hours also left something to be desired: it closed at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon for a Sunday morning race, which was pretty inconvenient for someone coming from out of town. It basically meant I had to give up my whole Saturday as well. Arriving at the start area on Sunday morning, there was an enormous line for the port-a-potties. I waited in line for more than 20 minutes, and then just joined the back of the crowd to await the start. There were supposed to be corrals, but they were nowhere to be seen. I don't think it helped that there had been a 5k that started half an hour beforehand, so that everyone doing the half and 10k had already moved up from their original corral positions by the time the race started. I had looked at the map beforehand and knew where my corral was supposed to be, but there was no one remotely close to that area anymore. I also didn't see any signs indicating where I was supposed to stand. This could have been a disaster, because I ended up starting out much farther back than I should have and dodging people for the first couple of miles. The course wasn't really wide enough to support this, so it could have been a frustrating traffic jam. But it actually worked out perfectly fine, because there were wide sidewalks alongside the road and no apparent enforcement of where we were supposed to be running. So I and many others ran partially on the sidewalk for the first mile or two, easing the congestion and making it much more manageable. This wasn't an ideal situation, but it worked. The biggest issue that I had with this race was that there just wasn't a lot of crowd support in the critical last miles, and within the last mile there was no indication of how close the finish line was. I would have liked to see signs posted at 800m and 400m, since the finish was around a corner and not visible until it was almost too late for a final push. I also would have liked cheering spectators encouraging me along to the end. The final stretch was pretty desolate, along a road without much shade, and I feel like I could have done maybe a minute better if I'd had a bit more external support carrying me along. That was the only problem that actually impacted my race experience, though. Everything else--the dull expo with inconvenient hours, the long port-a-potty lines at the start, the lack of corrals--actually turned out to be pretty insignificant in the end. In some cases, like the wide sidewalk paralleling the race course at the beginning, things worked out only because of luck and not because of good planning on the part of the organizers. But what matters to me is that they did work out. I was able to run a good race without being stuck in a crowd; I received plenty of fuel when I needed it; and I got a nice medal to celebrate my achievement. I'd gladly do this one again next year. read more

Giant Race 2012 is a lot better than 2011 in some way. The finish line for one is a vast improvement from 2011. They've opened up the outfield for the runners to catch their breath and stretch after completing the run. The traffic flow along the course is also better this year than 2011 race. What's worst this year than 2011 race? 1. Recovery fruit ran out. I can't believe Safeway skimp on this, pretty sad. Runners who gave their all on the run and left everything on the course is spent and will need recovery. We are expecting something, at least a banana, in the end to recover properly. 2. The after the race expo is non-existence. No vendor at all. The race itself is a lot of fun, I look forward to this race every year. I hope the organizers take heed on our constructive criticism. read more

This was my 5th 1/2 marathon and 1st SF Giants 1/2. Pros: Well organized expo. Signed up for text messaging for my official time. Great communications/updates about the race. Nice tech T. Great Matt Cain bobblehead. FedEx gear check. Trucks were lined up....looked awesome! 1000's of SF Giant fans/athletes. Plenty of clean (meaning not stinkin) port o potties. Comcast freebie headbands handed out before race started. PG&E charging station. Race timing clocks at start line, turn around point, finish line. Plenty of water stations Staff supporters Awesome 1/2 marathon route through scenic/famous SF. Finish line on the field at AT&T Park. Giants jumbo-tron display and announcement of each finisher. Awesome 1/2 marathon finishers medal. Double play socks for those that participated in the SJ & SF Giants Race. Cons: Weak expo as far as vendors...lack of. Disorganized starting corral. Only 2 corral estimated pace signs posted. Zero food left if any for 1/2 marathoners that finished with a 3+ hour time. Will I run this race again? I don't know...a 1/2 marathon is a big deal and not to have any end of race food was an even bigger deal. What a disappointing way to end a great race, but that wasn't the totality of the race. I had a great experience and another 1/2 behind me. Suggestions for next year: Start the races earlier...say 7:00 am Better corral signage. With the great PA system you used...start each race completely separately from the next. Each race starting 15 minutes after the one before, which will help keep the races on time and the race starts more organized. At least have some uncut fruit (apple, oranges, bananas) and bagels and cream cheese packets available through the race cut off time. Designate some event staff to address the needs of the walkers when we arrive at the finish. I had to hunt down my double play socks after walking for three and a half hours. I trekked through the park talking to AT&T staff and The Giant Race staff probably another mile back and forth until I finally got my pair outside the park in the most unexpected place...in a basket sitting on a table underneath a rumpled tshirt...Oh, are you Patricia! Yes, I am. Here's your socks. Thank you. read more

The Giant Race - SF Giants 1/2 marathon finish on the field at AT&T - Races & Competitions Near Me - San Francisco, California

The Giant Race is an easy, out and back, all flat course with a nice view of the Bay Bridge, Embarcadero, and Fisherman's Wharf! The morning weather in SF is perfect because its mild to cool so you don't get overheated while running. This year they gave us a bobble head and an awesome dri-fit, v-neck orange Giants shirt at the expo! I love it when they give dri-fit shirts because I can wear them on my weekly training runs and represent! Hehe! On race day, it was a sea of orange. GO GIANTS! At these events, the first mile always separate between the runners and the walkers because the 10K runners and the 1/2 Marathoners start at the same time. Nobody ever gets into the correct corral because its a cluster fuck during line-up. So expect to spend your first mile or two dodging people if you did't make it to the front of the starting line at line-up. Mid run, it starts to get a little chaotic when the elite runners start running back. They are like salmon trying to swim upstream because most runners are still running towards the loop as the elite runners are heading back.There were plenty of blue Powerade (my fav) available at the water stations which was great! Coming back and getting the chance to run into AT&T park onto the field was a ton of fun! You get to see yourself on the jumbo tron, like you're one of the players running out into the field. Pretty awesome! After I got onto the green grass, I started doing some stretches and stuff just like what the players do pre-game. If only home plate was there and open, I'd try to round the plates and slide face first into home plate. You also get to sit in the dugout and stomp around the bullpen area which was pretty neat. At the end of the race, there aren't a lot of freebies. I got a stale plain bagel, a shot of smoothie and some celery sticks. Haha, better than nothing! This is my 3rd of 4 races of the San Francisco Original Run Series to become a San Francisco Original!! One more next month (Bridge to Bridge) and I will earn that title and a special medal! I cannot wait! I am always thankful for all the volunteers that help out with cheering, water stations, traffic control and cleaning up during the events because without them, the event would not be possible. Thank you 2014 Giant Race Volunteers! You guys rock!! read more

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We signed up for the 5k and normally an easy run but after drinking the night before it was tough. Great waterfront area with nice views. The race started in front of the park, ran towards the Ferry Building, made a u turn at the half way mark and ended in the ball park. Cool part was that we got to finish the race on the field. How many chances do you get to walk on the the grass that the players play on. Very family friendly so at times we had to weave in and out of the way of the slower runners, walkers and baby strollers. Snacks and water provided at the end and you have a run of the stadium. Next year half marathon! read more

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The race today had absolutely perfect weather with a temperature of 73 degrees at the finish line. The smartest thing we did was prepaid parking at Pier 48. The parking was about a quarter mile from the start of the race. We got to see the Giant's' 3 World Championship trophies on display. read more

It's good to know that I am not the only one who has complaints about this race. As a marathoner, this is the most disorganized race I have ever ran. Parking: I got to Parking Lot A around 6:30 am so I could beat the crowds. It's interesting because the woman who sold me my parking ticket told me that I had to leave the parking lot by 11am or be charged $30! I found that odd because the pre-race instructions said that the runners had until 2pm. In hindsight, that comment was an indication of the disorganization yet to come. The race: The starting line was as crowded as expected. Once the gun went off( I think there was one), the typical bobbing and weaving took place. I completely missed the first aid station and didn't remember seeing a sign for it. I was glad that I brought my hydration belt. After about 2 miles, I was able to run a decent pace. The highlight was the high-five I received from Brian Wilson at mile 5. 3 stars for that!! I was on tap to run a sub-2 hour half until the last 1.5 miles of the race. All of a sudden the crowd from the 5k and the kids merged with the half marathoners. This was pure mayhem!!! I spend this last stretch trying to run around strollers and slower runners. Lots of time energy wasted, literally!!! Lets just say that I missed my goal but 2 minutes. Grrrr! Post race: The finish line area was an even bigger cluster f***! I remember that we only has access to a few of the stairwells leading to the concourse. Getting food, your shirt ,bobblehead and finding a way to get out of the park took about 45 minutes!!! You would think that the organizers would have used the space in the concourse to prevent crowd congestion. The post race expo was just okay. Didn't stick around for that. I have run a few inaugural races that were better organized than this race. It's a shame because the course was great and perfect for a PR. Next year, I plan to save my money for another race. read more

This is my second time running the Giant Race Half-Marathon. Last year I had no complaints, except for the weather, which was brutally hot; this year the weather is one of the few things that was good about the event. Parking: I would have loved to take CalTrain into the event, but it doesn't run that early. So I aimed for parking around 7am, stashing some gear and stretching. Last year parking was painless. This time I turned up 3rd and it was bumper to bumper. By the time I parked it was 7:50; barely enough time to get my act together, go to the toilet and make the start line. Very, very disappointing start. Race Course: aid stations were not marked on pre-event materials. Some people coordinate gel consumption or rest walks with aid stations so it would have been nice to know mileage locations for them in advance. A minor point. Also an energy supplement was promised at mile 8--if it was there I couldn't find any. Another minor point. But the total snafu was the last 1.5 miles when half-marathoners had to meld with the Ferry Building crowd and the 5K walkers/stroller crowd on the sidewalk. There was some kind of cone division but no volunteers directing people. At this point in the race it takes a lot of effort to weave around people and is very dangerous. I'm slow but I was coming in around the 2:20 mark and it was a disaster. Finish line: Another total snafu. Just over the finish line and you are in a huge pack at a complete stop. Does not feel good and everything starts cramping up. Yogurt with no spoon. All I want to do is have some water and stretch and here I am holding this yogurt shuffling around. Post-race expo: 45 minutes at least, freezing cold now that my body heat is dropping, and I'm shuffling around the top of the stadium with literally thousands of other thirsty, hungry and exhausted runners. All I want is my damn shirt and it takes forever to get to it. The previous year you got a ticket to runner's night with your race entry, and the expo was held outside. This year you had to buy a ticket separately to the game. There were a lot of poor decisions made, and some balls were dropped. Until they recognize that publicly, this race is off my list. Update: I want to add that I was contacted by someone in charge and he did assure me that they were taking all the feedback into account. I know these people work hard to get it right so I'm hoping third time will be a charm, as this is a fun race and I'd like to do it again. read more

The half marathon has an AMAZING course! It goes along the water, so you get to see so many beautiful spots. For it being in San Francisco, there's also not many hills, which I'm all about. I also loved that you end up in the park. It felt very The only thing I didn't really like was the medal was kind of dinky. Also, the 10k and 5k medal were the same size, which was kind of weird. I know you shouldn't run just for the medals, but I love collecting them and I was kind of disappointed in the medal. Still had a great time, and the weather in the bay area is perfect for running! Check it out if you're a big Giants fan! read more

I'm a pretty regular racer and this was my second time running this race. Last year. So much easier. Perhaps because like other Yelpers mentioned, this year was super packed thanks to all the bandwagon Giant fans out there. The course was ok. Although I was kinda bummed we were pushed to the sidewalks and had to weave through tourists the last couple of miles. I'm a decent runner so I was able to finish before the 5K winner, so for me the finish line was fine. Nice and empty. But jeez. After seeing the video clips of my friends who were slower half marathoners and 5kers crossing the finish line, how did you guys survive? I've never seen a race where you had to shuffle across the finish line cuz it was so crowded. I bet I know why they scheduled the 5K to start and hour and half after the half marathon. The organizers were probably in their meeting months ago and some genius goes "hey guys! I've got a great idea! Why don't we time the races so that the 5k runners and 13.1 mile runners all converge at the finish line at the same time. That way it'll be a big happy fun festival and everyone can hold hands crossing the finish line. Yay!" Exhausted runners could have collapsed and had serious medical issues. You just don't make runners come to a dead stop like that. I hope the organizers of this race get fined or sued for their SNAFU. On a side note: Thank you Brian Wilson for making your guest appearance and thank you volunteers. And sorry to the volunteer kid holding the garbage bag that I threw a half empty cup of Powerade at but missed and hit you in the face. BTW, my Garmin GPS watch clocked me in at 13.2 miles? read more

There are so many races and promoters nowadays... not all of them good. I would say overall the race was put together well. I didn't run it last year but based on past reviews it seems the organizers made a lot of improvements for 2012. The expo was small but easily accessible by car or public transportation. There weren't any attractions to keep you there other than to pick up your shirt and bobblehead. For anyone who runs in the city, it's a familiar course since the Embarcadero and Marina/Crissy Field are two of the handful of places you can run for miles with few interruptions of traffic lights. There's only the one small Fort Mason hill so get your PR! Volunteers were enthusiastic and the water stations were at least every 2 miles. The half marathon crowd seemed to be dead, no real energy until they got into the stadium for the finish line. By the time the halfers finished, there were only some bagels left, no Safeway bags. It sucks when the 5k and 10k get the after-race goodies but that's the organizers' fault. They put out a survey for runners' opinions after this race so I'm confident they'll keep improving. read more

A pretty enjoyable race marred by a few logistical issues. Overall, this was lots of fun, and I would consider doing it again. The big pluses: Great route along Embarcadero, with wonderful views of the Bay and Golden Gate. Near perfect weather. Finishing in the Park is beyond cool, a major reason to participate in the race. Nice medal. Now, some issues that could use ironing out: The starting area and starting procedure is a total mess. Everyone is supposed to line up by pace, which obviously didn't happen, as we were tripping over walkers right out of the gate. We didn't even know the race had started, since we were way back in the line. With that many people, I understand that a long line to the start is inevitable. However, I think a key issue was the ridiculously underpowered PA system...we simply couldn't hear what was going on. I would suggest starting the 10 and 5K earlier, letting them get going, then the HM. The streets are simply not big enough to accommodate that number of people all at once. Please prohibit headphones! It's hard enough to navigate the chaos of the start...we don't need hundreds of hearing-impaired runners to make it worse! The food issue was mentioned already. Please have adequate supplies; you already know how many people will be there. A bit of variety wouldn't hurt, either. Get some corporate sponsors to kick in some more items...it happens at almost all the races I've been to. One big issue was that the personnel on hand were woefully uninformed on race-day activities. Namely, my wife had to schlep around the park for 40 minutes, trying almost in vain to get info on the kids' race. It was by sheer luck that she happened upon the one person in the whole place who apparently had a clue. And these are paid Park employees, not hapless volunteers! All in all, a fun event. A bit of attention to detail could go a long way in making it flow much more smoothly. read more

SOOOOOO unorganized. We arrived on time, and traffic was okay. Having a designated lot for parking was nice. The start for the 1/2 marathoners wrapped around Giant Stadium, but was blocked by the large crowd of people waiting for the port-a-potties. We were completely disconnected from the rest of the crowd, and had no idea what was going on with the race start. Our pacers finally got impatient and marched our whole pace group to the starting line--- which apparently started half an hour earlier with no one even bothering to tell the 1/2 marathoners when to start. The route was okay- with the exception of the 2 1/2 miles on the gravel and sand which absolutely killed my knees! Don't they know better than to have us run on uneven grounds? The organizers must not be runners. At the end, all they had left were bananas and plain bagels, and we were kicked off the field shortly after I had 2 minutes on the grass. From what I observed, you literally had 2 minutes on the grass before they kicked you out. Never again. Not worth the pain on my knees, and definitely not worth the trouble of trying to figure out what's going on in the beginning of the race. read more